TikTok Pasta/Squash

I had friends recommend the viral TikTok pasta recipe, so I gave it a try and mixed it up by making it healthier with spaghetti squash instead of pasta. Gotta watch those carbs! While it is good, and I've made it several times for a healthy meal full of veggies, I can honestly say that I am not sure why it went quite so viral. So, keep expectations in check. For sure, it is REALLY EASY!

TikTok Pasta/Squash

Calories per serving: 500 (makes 5 servings), 250 calories if using squash

Ingredients:

• 2 pints cherry tomatoes
• 1 package fetta cheese
• olive oil
• seasonings
• 1 lb cooked pasta (or one cooked spaghetti squash, peel and seeds removed)

Directions: 

1. In an oven-safe baking dish, place your cheese in the center of the pan. You can use either the fetta brick or the crumbled fetta. 
2. Surrounding the fetta, dump your cherry tomatoes. 
3. Drizzle with olive oil and whatever seasonings you like (salt and pepper, Italian seasoning, basil, oregano, etc.). Stir the tomatoes (not the cheese) to coat. 
4. Bake in a hot oven (350-400 degrees) for about 30 minutes or until all the tomatoes have shriveled and burst. 
5. Remove from the oven and stir cheese and tomatoes together. 
6. Add one package cooked pasta (or in my case, one cooked and shredded spaghetti squash) and stir together. For a creamier sauce, it is recommended to add a little of the hot pasta water.

Here is a step by step image- before the oven... after the oven... stirred... pasta/squash added.

Spaghetti Squash in the Instant Pot

 Cooking spaghetti squash in the Instant Pot is so easy!!! Here is how!

Spaghetti Squash In The Instant Pot

Calories per serving: 50 (for 4 servings)

Ingredients:

• 1 spaghetti squash
• 1(+) cup of water
• Optional butter, salt, and pepper

Directions:

1. Cut your squash into quarters and remove the seeds. 
2. Place the wire rack/trivet into the bottom of the pot. Add enough water to the bottom of the Instant Pot to cover the bottom and fill without touching the squash when it's placed on the rack. 
3. Add your squash. 
4. Seal and cook on high pressure for 7-10 minutes. Quick release the pressure and remove from pot.

Marsha's Notes:

If you are going to be eating the squash plain, then you can add pats of butter on top of each quarter of the squash and season with salt and pepper before cooking. If you are going to but putting other things on your squash, then you can just stick it in the Instant Pot by itself.

Lots of recipes online say to cook the squash on high pressure for 7 minutes, but I found that with my pot I am happier with closer to ten minutes. Just play around with it and see what you like best for texture.